My mum has a fantastic recipe for a lamb chop marinade that is drool worthy. I want to find out if I can use the same marinade for a vegetarian option, like possibly those giant mushrooms that some people use in place of burger patties in a burger. I just wanted to do some research with more experienced cooks before I commit to possibly wasting marinade and mushrooms.

Very timely thread. I find that mushrooms make an excellent meat substitute. I am bringing vegetarian chili for a potluck next week and will be using ground mushrooms to provide a little meatiness to the chili.

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“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."-J.R.R Tolkien

I've never marinated a mushroom, but I'd imagine that you can't just drop a raw portobello in a marinade all day like you can a steak. I'd think it would end up being mushy. (I don't even wash mushrooms -- I'm a brusher.)

I can't imagine it would take long for the mushroom to absorb flavors, though.

I wouldn't soak a portobello for more than 30 minutes. You're right about the potential squishiness.

Kind of off topic, but if you do marinate it all day and then cook it on the grill, leaving it on in all of its soggy glory and letting it dry out makes a slightly weird but absolutely delicious mushroom "jerky".

Chiming in a hair late here, but seitan is another good option for vegetarians. There are lots of different brands out there and they all need to be treated differently, though. Some of it comes pre-marinated, too, so check the label.

My favorite brand is probably Gardein. Their homestyle "beef" is quite meaty and neutral enough in flavor that it would soak up a sauce nicely. It isn't designed for marinades, though. (You're supposed to sear it and then simmer it in your sauce or stew. It does take on the flavors, though.)

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I'm late to this, but I once used this recipe as a base for doing tofu stuffed portabello mushrooms. So I'm thinking to marinate the tofu in the marinade, stuff the mushrooms with the tofu mixture and then just brush the mushrooms with the marinade before baking or grilling. I wrapped mine in foil then put on the grill.